Shadow of Mirkwood

Farewell

I don't know how you say goodbye to whom and what you love. I don't know a painless way to do it, don't know the words to capture a heart so full and a longing so intense

     "There's no need for formalities," Thranduil stated, as Lytharial offered him a small bow out of respect, his voice carrying an air of authority that made her straighten slightly.

He studied her for a moment, his gaze piercing and intense. 

   "I've been having conflicting thoughts about you," he admitted, his tone unreadable.

Confusion furrowed Lytharial's brow as she struggled to comprehend his words. 

     "Conflicting thoughts, my lord?" she echoed, uncertain of what he meant.

He moved closer, his presence overwhelming as he loomed over her. 

     "At first, I saw you as nothing more than a useless child," he began, his voice tinged with a hint of disdain. "Then, I viewed you merely as a weapon to be wielded at my disposal."

Lytharial's breath caught in her throat, a flicker of indignation igniting within her. She had long grown accustomed to Thranduil's harsh judgments, but hearing them spoken aloud still stung.

     "But now," Thranduil continued, his tone softening slightly, "here, at this moment, I see you as something else entirely."

His words hung in the air between them, and Lytharial felt a surge of apprehension wash over her. What could Thranduil possibly see in her now, after all they had been through together?

     "And what is it that you see, my lord?" she ventured cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper.

Thranduil's gaze bore into hers, his expression inscrutable. 

     "I see a woman," he declared, his voice low and intense, "a woman with the strength and resilience to face whatever challenges come her way."

Lytharial swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest as she grappled with the weight of his words. Despite the tumultuous history between them, she couldn't deny the undeniable power of his presence, nor the unsettling allure of his gaze.

Thranduil's touch sent a shiver down Lytharial's spine as his finger traced a delicate path down her face, lingering on her neck before trailing down her shoulder and arm. His proximity was suffocating, his presence overpowering, and yet she found herself rooted to the spot, unable to look away from his penetrating gaze.

     "As a woman, you possess a certain... allure," Thranduil murmured, his voice low and intimate as he continued to trace his finger over her skin. "A strength that cannot be denied, a fire that burns deep within you."

Lytharial's breath caught in her throat as she felt his touch linger, igniting a fierce longing within her that she struggled to suppress. His words echoed in her mind, stirring something primal and untamed deep within her soul.

     "But," Thranduil continued, his tone shifting slightly as his gaze bore into hers, "with that allure comes danger. A danger that I fear you may not fully comprehend."

Lytharial's heart raced as she tried to make sense of his words, the weight of his gaze bearing down on her like a heavy burden. She knew that Thranduil was capable of great cruelty, of wielding power with a merciless hand, and yet there was something in his voice that hinted at a deeper understanding, a recognition of the complexities that lay within her.

     "I... I don't understand," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to meet his unwavering gaze.

Thranduil's lips curved into a knowing smile, his eyes alight with a glimmer of amusement.